Joe Wentz

Obituary: Joe Phillip Wentz, 86 years of age of Kannapolis, NC passed away peacefully from the arms of his loving family to the loving arms of our Lord and savior on Monday, May 2, 2016 at his residence. Mr. Wentz was born July 26, 1929 to the late Avery Parks and Gertrude Wentz. He was also preceded in death by brothers, Merle Wentz, Troy Wentz, sisters Ruby Young and Annie Small and a son Joe Phillip Wentz Jr. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Catherine Rodgers Wentz; daughter Kathy Wentz Hartsell and husband Allen of Midland; grandchildren, Melissa Hartsell Burris and husband Seth of New London; Lindsey Hartsell Cragan and husband Clayton of Concord. He leaves behind his great-grandchild Brice Edward Burris and another grandbaby on the way; sister Mary Wentz Vanderburg and husband Worth of Charlotte, and other extended family, numerous nieces and nephews and friends who love him. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army, serving in Germany, and a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Evangelical Church. He worked as assistant manager of Winn-Dixie in Kannapolis then manager of the Winn-Dixie store in Mooresville. He then worked as a route salesman for Industries of the Blind out of Greensboro for many years then retired and worked for Worsham Sprinkler out of Charlotte. Mr. Wentz loved fishing and hunting and most of all his garden. He loved meeting people and selling his vegetables at home and at the Piedmont Farmers Market at Winecoff. He had also served on their board. Everyone that met or knew him will remember his kind and giving spirit and that he would also have a joke to share with them. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 4 at Whitley's Funeral Home. The funeral services will be Thursday, May 5 at 3 p.m. at Whitley's Funeral Home Main Chapel conducted by Rev. Peter Feige and Dr. Phil Douglas Small Jr. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park. Military graveside rites will be presented by the Cabarrus County Veterans Honor Guard. At other times, the family will meet at his home. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Hospice of Cabarrus County and others that assisted in his medical care for their loving and compassionate care during this time. Whitley's Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Wentz. On-line condolences may be sent to www.whitleysfuneralhome.com. Those wishing to make memorial contributions in his memory may send them to Trinity Lutheran Church, 3747 Trinity Church Road, Concord, NC 28025.
Visitation: 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. Wednesday May 4, 2016 Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 3:00 P.M. Thursday May 5, 2016 Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park Kannapolis, N.C.